The 67th Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships wrapped up in Jaipur earlier this month. Indian Railways clinched victory in both the men’s and women’s categories for the second year running, proving their dominance in Indian Kabaddi.
Let’s revisit and highlight the top 5 Raiders in the women’s division of the tournament.
1. Nidhi Sharma: Himachal Pradesh – 55 points
Nidhi Sharma from Himachal Pradesh emerged as the leading raider in the top 5 at the 67th Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships, playing a crucial role in her team’s runner-up finish. She accumulated 55 raid points from 78 raids, consistently providing a boost for Himachal in every match.
The tournament started slowly for Nidhi, with just four points in her opening game against Pondicherry. However, she showcased her exceptional skills in the second game against Goa, where she scored 12 points from 13 raids, leading Himachal to victory. As the tournament progressed to the knockout stages, Nidhi demonstrated her dominance, collecting 35 points across four knockout matches. In the pre-quarterfinals against West Bengal, she scored nine points from twelve raids, effectively neutralizing Bengal’s threat. Her standout performance came in the final, where she scored twelve points, keeping Himachal competitive until the end, although Indian Railways ultimately won the match.
Overall, Nidhi Sharma’s performance was outstanding, making her the top raider for her team and a prominent figure in the best raider charts. Her impressive showing likely caught the attention of selectors.
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2. Meenu: Chandigarh – 51 points
Meenu, Chandigarh’s top raider, delivered an outstanding performance during the 67th Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships, scoring 51 points across four matches. She was the sole standout for the Chandigarh team.
Her tournament journey started off poorly compared to her strong finish. In the opening match, she managed just 6 points from 18 attempts. However, she turned things around in the next three games, amassing an impressive 45 points and keeping Chandigarh’s hopes alive. Despite her efforts, the team was eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals. In the match against Kerala, Meenu scored 14 points from 11 raids, effectively neutralizing Kerala’s challenge. Her best showing came against Vidharbha, where she scored 16 points from 11 raids, helping Chandigarh secure a spot in the Pre-Quarter Finals without any losses in the league stages. Even in the Pre-Quarter Finals, she maintained her high level of performance, contributing 15 points, but it wasn’t enough as the team was defeated by Goa.
Meenu had a stellar tournament and was the standout performer for Chandigarh. Her exceptional play surely caught the attention of selectors scouting for the Indian senior team.
3. Chhaya: Chhattisgarh – 48 points
Chhaya from Chhattisgarh showcased her skills at the 67th Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships. Throughout the tournament, she excelled, accumulating 48 points across five matches. As her team’s lead raider, Chhaya was crucial in guiding Chhattisgarh to the knockout stages.
She kicked off the tournament by scoring five raid points in as many raids against Jammu and Kashmir before being substituted in a one-sided match. In her subsequent games, Chhaya continued her impressive performance, amassing 37 points over four matches. Notably, against Kerala Court Direction, she scored ten points in nine raids, leading to a comfortable victory for Chhattisgarh. In the match against Punjab, Chhaya was the top scorer, earning 15 raid points from 22 raids, helping Chhattisgarh secure a narrow 31-29 win. In the pre-quarterfinals against Tamil Nadu, she maintained her form, scoring 12 points in 17 raids to ensure Chhattisgarh’s advancement to the quarterfinals. However, her performance in the quarterfinals was less remarkable, as she scored only six points in 17 raids, and Chhattisgarh was defeated by a strong Himachal Pradesh team.
Overall, Chhaya’s tournament performance was notable, and it will be interesting to see if she earns a spot on the Senior Indian team.
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4. Renu: Rajasthan – 47 points
Local talent Renu dazzled at the 67th Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships, showcasing her peak performance for the Rajasthan team. Over five matches, she amassed 47 points, including four super 10s, which were crucial in helping Rajasthan advance to the knockout stages.
Renu made a strong impression in the opening game against Karnataka, where she scored 10 points from 14 raids, leading Rajasthan to a decisive victory. In the following match against Telangana, she excelled with 12 points from 13 raids and added two tackle points from three attempts, contributing significantly to another comfortable win for the hosts. Against Odisha, Renu continued her impressive form, scoring 13 points and securing Rajasthan’s place as winners of all their group matches.
As the tournament progressed to the knockouts, Renu maintained her stellar performance. In the pre-quarterfinals against Andhra, she scored another super 10 with 10 points from 15 raids, propelling Rajasthan into the quarterfinals. However, she struggled in the crucial quarterfinal match against a strong Haryana team, managing only two points from nine raids, which led to Rajasthan’s exit from the tournament.
Throughout the championships, Renu captivated the local crowd with her dynamic play, and her efforts were a highlight of the Senior Nationals.
5. Sonali Shingate: Indian Railways – 46 points
Sonali, widely known as the “Bonus Queen,” made a significant impact in the 67th Senior National Kabaddi Championships while playing for the Indian Railways team. Her stellar performance was crucial in helping her team retain their title, as she scored 46 points across six matches.
The tournament began on a strong note for Sonali, who scored 7 raid points from 10 raids in a narrow victory over Maharashtra, with the final score being 33-32. She was the top scorer in that game, proving instrumental in securing the win. Although her performance dipped slightly in the next two matches, Indian Railways advanced to the knockout stages.
In the quarterfinals against Goa, Sonali returned to form, scoring 11 points from 12 raids, focusing on bonus points to stifle the opposition. She continued her impressive run in the semifinals against Jharkhand, earning seven raid points from ten raids, propelling Indian Railways to the final.
The final match against Himachal Pradesh showcased Sonali at her finest. She delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 13 points from 15 raids. Her consistent point-scoring, especially with crucial bonus points in the second half, was key to securing the victory and another Senior Nationals title for Indian Railways.
Sonali Shingate’s consistent excellence throughout the tournament, particularly in the final, highlights her exceptional ability to perform under pressure.
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